Renault Accused of Cheating Emissions Tests

French prosecutors are accusing Renault of running a VW-like emissions scam, with local investigators launching an inquiry into accusations that some of the company's models are actively cheating their exhaust tests.

As with Volkswagen, the investigators think Renault may have "cheated" on its tests, particularly those involving the potentially dirtier diesel cars, to get them through certification with lower pollutant scores and/or better mileage figures. The prosecutor has instructed three judges to look into the case, saying there's the possibility the carmaker might be guilty of selling "products dangerous to health" were it to be found to have tampered with its engine performance in such a way as to game the testing system.

Meanwhile in the US, the US Environmental Protection Agency has accused Fiat Chrysler of cheating emissions tests with some of its models too, with authorities accusing it of installing secret software onto diesel trucks able of detecting telltale signs of an output test -- and modifying its performance accordingly. Fiat also denies the charges. [Guardian]